After the brutal murder of her son Deputy Superdenteant Samantha Miller, felt as if her life had been sucked from her body. She had done everything in her power to prevent her son from getting harmed but now it had turned deadly and her son was murdered and his dead body was left in the dirt and mud in the wide open for everyone to see.
It had been the bastard's sick way of sending a message to her and all of the CPD. To prove a point that nobody would be safe. Not Miller's son, not anyone. Now she had wanted to hunt down the sick son of a bitch and put a bullet in his brain. When Hank saw the look in her eyes, he knew it all too well. He had the exact same look when he lost his own son and the multiple attempts he almost lost his little girl.
Seeing your child dead in front of your eyes, the very child you had helped bring into the world dead. It was as if part of you had died with them. When Hank had lost his son, it was as if part of him died with Justin but the remaining half stayed with his daughter. But he felt empty inside. He felt a void that would never close. A void that would never go away.
It had taken him some time to learn how to live in a world without his son. It still felt weird. He went on about his everyday life but that void was there. Especially on Justin's birthdays. It felt so empty. So depressing. But something had still kept him from going completely over the edge. Something had kept him from completely losing it altogether.
He and Deputy Miller were in his office having a small drink, Samantha had still been grieving her son. She glanced at the older Sergeant, her eyes glossy with tears. She hadn't been one to cry or show emotions in front of people but Hank didn't mind. He was the same way.
"How do you do it Hank? How did you manage to keep it together after your son's death?" She asked, her voice slightly cracking. "What keeps you from going over the edge?"
The older man stayed quiet. He knew without a doubt what had been keeping him from going over the edge. From completely losing it.
"Dad?" Came a soft voice, it belonged to his daughter. Jordan peeked into his office.
Everyone had gone home for the night, Hank stayed behind. Jordan hated being alone at night. Often when Hank stayed late she stayed with him. Hank would rather have his daughter stay with him at night. He didn't want anything happening to her. He'd never forgive himself. Hell Part of him still never forgiven himself for pulling the plug on his son.
A soft smile appeared on his face hearing her voice. It had been her, Jordan had kept him from going over the edge. From completely losing it. If it hadn't been for her. Hank would truly be lost. She was his heart and soul now. Everything he did, he did for her. Whether or not it meant crossing lines he shouldn't. He didn't care. He'd go to any length to protect his little girl.
Hank would walk on Hell's burning coal for her, through the high burning flames. He'd move heaven, hell, earth and everything in between for her. Little by little he'd lost everyone. Camille, his first daughter that had been still born, Anna, Justin, Olive and Daniel, Erin and then his best friend, Alvin.
The only family he now had was his daughter. He had his team, Trudy, some people at Med and 51. But in the end it was Jordan.
Without her he'd probably have gone off the rails. Between Justin's death, Erin's departure, and later Alvin's death, Hank had never felt so broken. But it had been Jordan to be there for him and helped put him back together while trying to keep herself together and whole.
Justin's death had torn them apart but when Jordan went into recovery and got the help she needed the father and daughter repaired their relationship. Since then they have had a tight unbreakable bond.
Nobody had been able to come between them, they tried but all failed miserably. Hank had been and always will be protective of his daughter. Jordan had always been loyal to her father. And she always will be. Nothing would ever break them apart again.
Glancing over he saw his daughter. "What's up sweetheart"
Jordan had seen the Deputy Superintendent and looked back at her father.
"Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt"
"It's alright. Everything ok?"
"I was gonna head home, did you want me to stop and get you any dinner or make you anything when I get home?"
"I'm fine. You go home, get something to eat and go to bed. You need some rest"
"Promise you won't stay to late"
"I promise"
Hank got up and hugged his daughter then kissed her head. "Be careful sweetheart"
"I promise dad"
She kissed his cheek and headed out the squad. Samantha looked at Hank as he watched his daughter leave for the night.
The Deputy Superintendent had answered her own question with her eyes. She now knew the reason for what had kept Hank from going over the edge.
"Your daughter?"
"Yeah. She's my youngest"
"She's beautiful. What's her name?"
"Jordan"
"She's what keeps you from going over the edge. From completely falling apart"
"And as long as I have her. She always will keep me from falling apart"
"You sound like a good father Hank"
"I try"
"Your daughter is very lucky to have you"
"Thank you"
Hank always knew as long as he had his daughter, he would stay whole. He would be on the edge but never go over. He would never go over. Not as long as he had the one person to keep him from doing so. His little girl.